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Safety concerns over Trump recordings change school schedule before rally

Ambridge to dismiss junior, senior high school students before campaign event

Updated: 9:49 AM EDT Oct 10, 2016

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Safety concerns over Trump recordings change school schedule before rally

Ambridge to dismiss junior, senior high school students before campaign event

Updated: 9:49 AM EDT Oct 10, 2016

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AMBRIDGE, Pa. —

The Ambridge Area School District announced that junior and senior high school students will be dismissed early Monday, prior to a campaign rally by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the school gym.

Late last week, audio recordings of Trump making lewd comments about women surfaced, raising safety concerns about the visit among parents and even a local lawmaker.

"I think that law enforcement thought that may increase the crowd size, so that became a concern," Dimperio said. "That's why we took a look at modifying the schedule."

Justin Miller graduated from Ambridge and is a Trump supporter. He understands the nominee's choice to speak in Beaver County.

"Donald Trump coming to an area like this, he really has the ability to reach out and connect with the people that he's trying to connect with, like blue-collar workers," Miller said.

The school district was contacted “about a week or so ago," by Trump's team, asking to hold the event in the gym, Dimperio said.

Demonstrators will not be allowed on school property, and there will be a large police presence between the Secret Service and state and Ambridge police, Dimperio said.

The school district released the following statement on their Facebook page on Sunday:

• Responding to numerous parent concerns about the Trump Rally in the Field House• The District will have a shortened school day for all students tomorrow Monday, October 10, 2016• The High School and Junior High School will dismiss at 11:00 AM• The Elementary Schools will dismiss at 12:00 noon• Parents using their own judgment may believe it is better to keep their children home from school on Monday• District Officials have been monitoring the planning with Law Enforcement since last week and met on Friday with Secret Service and local law enforcement and were satisfied with the planning to date – Again, today Sunday District Officials have observed planning at the Field House are satisfied with the level of national, local and district preparations.• Keep in mind that when Mr. Trump makes his remarks at the Field House which is a separate building away from the high school building all of the district school buildings will be closed including the high school• No student will be required to attend or encouraged to attend this rally, that decision will be up to those students and their parents.